Medicine  (MDS2)

Our mission is to improve patient health by developing competent, caring doctors who are life-long learners, driven by scientific enquiry and the desire to serve our society’s evolving healthcare needs. We aim to develop in our medical students an in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals of health and disease and an understanding of modern medicine including its applications and limitations. We teach our students to be self-directed learners and as graduates to be life-long participants in education and research. Our objective is to build strong professional, inter-personal and decision-making skills that are key to success in their careers. We develop in our students an innate sense of responsibility, commitment to social and cultural diversity, equity and ethical standards. We strive for a supportive, dynamic learning environment where each student in the Medicine Programme will have been supported in reaching their individual potential.

We use innovative and creative evidence based educational approaches to develop in our students a repertoire of analytical, cognitive and examination skills and teach them key procedural techniques which become essential to their work as doctors.  A patient centred reflective approach is key to all our teaching methods. Our assessment strategy is driven by the necessity to translate knowledge, skills and attitudes to face- to- face patient care.

1 - Possess and apply in-depth knowledge of the core biomedical and clinical sciences that underpin the practice of medicine.
2 - Be able to maintain and enhance professional activities through lifelong learning.
3 - Critically evaluate information and its sources and apply this appropriately in their decision making.
4 - Facilitate the learning of patients, families, junior colleagues, other health professionals, the public, and others, as appropriate.
5 - Contribute to the creation, dissemination, application, and translation of new medical knowledge and practices through research and audit.
6 - Recognise personal and professional limits of knowledge and competence and consult appropriately.
7 - Establish and maintain the clinical skills to perform a complete and appropriate patient centred assessment of a patient and to use therapeutic interventions effectively.
8 - Have acquired proficient practical skills for diagnostic and therapeutic use as required of an intern in practice.
9 - Understand and accept the roles and responsibilities of the doctor as defined by the Medical Council or other professional regulatory body.
10 - Be committed to the professional ethical and legal codes of practice.
11 - Be committed to physician health and wellbeing including self.
12 - Possess team working skills to promote and maintain the effectiveness of the multidisciplinary team in healthcare provision.
13 - Develop and maintain communication skills to support all roles.
14 - Possess the capacity to develop management and leadership skills over time in the knowledge of the principles of the Irish healthcare system, the fundamentals of management science and personal professional development.

Students progression and continuation in the programme is subject to the requirements of the School of
Medicine’s Fitness to Practice Statement.

The medical degree programme is an exciting pathway to becoming a doctor.

One of the strengths of the undergraduate medical degree programme is patient-based teaching in small groups where our students learn the necessary skills under the tuition of highly qualified clinical tutors. We aim to enhance your experience by attention to student welfare and by adopting innovative teaching strategies and assessment methods.

The UCD teaching hospitals are leading, modern national medical centres that deliver the highest quality in patient care. The major general teaching hospitals are the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and St Vincent's University Hospital, based in Dublin.

UCD Medicine programmes are accredited by the Irish Medical Council (IMC). The School is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.

UCD's Health Sciences centre, opened in September 2005, is a state-of-the-art facility for medical education and research and brings the research and teaching activities of physicians, nurses, physiotherapists and radiographers together under one roof.

STAGE 1
In Stage 1, you will take modules in the basic sciences including Physics, Chemistry, Cell Biology and Genetics. Modules in Healthcare Informatics will equip you with the appropriate information technology.

STAGE 2
Stage 2 modules examine the anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of healthy cells, tissues and organ systems. Both semesters contain clinical modules that introduce students to patient care in community and hospital settings.

STAGES 3 & 4
Stage 3 modules begin to review the pathology, microbiology and pharmacology of organ systems in a clinically integrated approach. Modules in Stage 4 complete the study of the diseased organ systems with continued clinical integration.

STAGE 5/YEARS 5 & 6
In the final two stages, modular programmes in Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Psychiatry are studied. This involves periods of clinical attachments in the general and specialist hospitals, attachment to a general practice and systematic instruction in the various medical specialties. Clinical tuition is patient-based and is largely carried out through small group sessions at the bedside.

Extensive international links offer you a variety of opportunities to widen your experience. Scholarships awarded on the basis of an essay competition are available to support elective periods in centres of clinical and research excellence in the USA, Europe and Malaysia.

Graduates of the School have achieved worldwide recognition in clinical practice, research and healthcare leadership. Upon graduation, you must complete one year as an intern to gain full registration with the Irish Medical Council. You may then pursue training towards a career in a wide variety of specialties, in diverse settings, including hospitals and primary care facilities, or laboratory-based diagnosis and research.

Candidates must agree to undergo testing to assess levels of immunity to certain infectious diseases as per
the current UCD School of Medicine Infectious Diseases Policy. The results of such tests are not used to
determine entry to the course but are used to provide the student with a suitable immunisation programme
schedule.

For further information, please see the UCD School of Medicine Infectious Diseases Policy.

For General Health information see UCD Student Health.

Full List of Programme Requirements.

Fitness to Practice.

Contact The Programme Team.

Stage 4

Students in Stage 4 of the programme carrying more than 10 credits (includes all remediations) following the Autumn Examination Board, held in January/February each year, will not ordinarily participate in clinical placements in the Spring Trimester. A bespoke academic plan will be developed by the School to support the student.

Stage 5

Students will not progress to Stage 5 of the programme if they have not completed all previous stages in their entireity - see major derogations for MDS2 Medicine DR005

See the UCD Assessment website for further details

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Module Weighting Info